00:00So Pat, we're here at Womben Cricketwood Womben Bowls Club. What's your involvement here?
00:06I've been a member now for nearly 30 years and I've been league bowling for about 20 of those.
00:16I only actually bowl on a Wednesday afternoon for the senior citizens team as you can gather by looking at our ages.
00:25Which is quite civilised because we have three games, then we stop for a cup of tea and risk it, then we have another three games.
00:32So it's very pleasant, it's a very social event and of course people, men and women can compete on an equal footing really.
00:41Is it a big part of the community here in Womben?
00:44Very much so, yeah. And we've got quite a lot of charitable things in the village too.
00:50I work across on a Monday at the Volunteer Bureau that's been here, well it's been functioning now for over 50 years.
00:59We do transport medical appointments, we hire out medical equipment for short term medical, wheelchairs etc. if anybody wants them.
01:10And there's quite a lot going on in the village if people just choose to look for it, you know.
01:19This is my five minutes of tea.
01:22Excuse me.
01:23How long have you been in the area living in Womben?
01:26Since 1970.
01:28In that time has much changed?
01:33Housing, we've got lots more houses now than we used to have. I mean Pool House wasn't there and that's a really big estate.
01:40There's another estate being built up where I live and yeah there's a lot. It's just sign of the times really.
01:47So John, you're here at Womben Bowls Club. How long have you been involved here?
01:51With the Bowls Club, about five years now. So I'm still new.
01:56Still taking it up and that kind of thing.
01:59And you say you've lived in Womben for over 60 years?
02:02Yes right, 61 years. I came out from London in 1964 with the job I had then.
02:07Brilliant. And what was that job?
02:09Well I took over a drawing office in Kings Winford at Stoolings Lane for Handy Angle, known as Link 51 at Brawley Hill.
02:17I was with them then, you know.
02:19Brilliant, brilliant. And what was it like sort of working, living in Womben then and all the way through up to now?
02:25Well obviously Womben was a lot smaller then.
02:27Of course, yeah.
02:28And a lot more, what can I say, not informal, but more sort of intimate if you like, if I can use that word.
02:35You know, you knew a lot more people. I mean the numbers in Womben now have really grown.
02:40But it's still a village feel and I still love it. You know, it's great.
02:44Yeah. And is that community spirit sort of, you know, I guess prevalent here, but in Womben for your time these last six years?
02:53Yes. Yes, it's always been good.
02:54Brilliant.
02:55Yeah, it's been good. And I've got no intention of going anywhere else.
02:59And you say you came up from London, what's the, you know, from big city to small village, what was the biggest difference you reckon when you first came here?
03:08The friendliness.
03:09Right, okay.
03:10Yeah, the friendliness when we arrived. We arrived and we bought a house in advance and we moved up into the house and within ten minutes one of the neighbours came along with a tray full of tea and cakes and biscuits.
03:23And I'm sure it still happens in London, but I don't think quite so much.
03:32So Lyn, we're here at Outside Boxes in Womben. How long have you been working here?
03:37I've been here six years in September.
03:40Brilliant. And are you living in Womben at the minute as well?
03:43Yeah, I've actually lived here for 60 years.
03:47Oh, right, brilliant. And what's it like to live here then? You must love it if you've been living here that long.
03:53Well, yes. I think I moved out just for about three years, not far away, but then came back again. But yeah, it's wonderful. It's a lovely village.
04:03It's obviously grown a lot. You know, a lot more houses, a lot more people, but still a wonderful village.
04:11Brilliant. What's your favourite thing about living here then? Is there a community spirit we seem to see a lot of people saying that?
04:16Yeah, I think it is really. I think it is that village vibe. Although like it is now like one of the biggest villages.
04:23It is that village vibe. It's just really nice. And you know, people are friendly and yeah, it's lovely.
04:30And Boxes, is this sort of a community hub for people? Is it very busy with the people at Womben?
04:35Yes, it is. I mean, like I said, I've only worked here for six years, but my mum worked here previously before me.
04:43She worked here for 13 years. So yes, it's always, you know, been that well known place. Yeah.
04:51Manny, we're here in GM Home Discounts. What's it like to work in Womben?
04:55It's amazing. The people are great here. I've been here like 15 years now and friendly.
05:01Don't get any hassle of anybody. Some of the shops you do need usually. But yeah, it's been amazing.
05:09The last 15 years I've been working here. That's it. What am I going to say?
05:13Areas lovely. People are lovely. Yeah, even the neighbours, like the shops, they're all really cool with each other and everything.
